The Goan Network
Goa government’s latest announcement of an amendment that paves the way for women to work beyond 7 pm might just remain wishful thinking if the experiences of hotel industry are anything to go by. It must be noted that hotel industry has been employing women in large numbers since decades now and therefore their experiences just can’t be ignored. The management of various reputed hotels said that the lack of bus-service post 8 pm at most places is not the only factor responsible as there are number of issues playing out there - the geographical spread of Goa and a conservative attitude running through families towards girl children cannot be ignored.
Steve Almeida, Director - Loss Prevention, Goa Marriott Resort & Spa, said, “Most Goan parents are against the idea of girls working in late night shifts. We do have women working late hours but they are hotel management graduates, who hail mostly from outside of Goa. We provide accommodation to these graduates, very close to the hotel along with a pick-and-drop facility. We take utmost care; we have got the police verification done, of all our drivers. Moreover, they have been working for us for more than 15 years now. But, despite all this, of our 650-memberstaff, only 3 women work in the night”
Almeida hit the nail on its head. Hotels are known to take good care of their female employees in terms of safety and transport. And, if they are facing such issues, it is not going to be a cakewalk for companies in industrial estates to employ women in late evening and night shifts. If Goa Marriot has a few women employees in late night hours, The Leela, Goa has a policy of not allowing women to work post 10 pm. General Manager of the hotel, Shridhar Nair said, “This is mainly owing to logistical reasons as it is not possible to provide pick-and-drop facility to women employees staying far, during late hours. For our women employees in shifts prior to 10 pm, we provide a pick-and-drop facility to all of them, wherein a security person accompanies them to ensure safety”
It is an uphill road for Goa government from here on because even if it improves bus-connectivity drastically, it may not be able to convince women in significant numbers to do late hour shifts.
